Magic Bands and Military Tickets

[melissabryant]

I'm not sure if this has been posted or asked anywhere yet, so here goes. Has anyone heard anything about being able to link the Magic Bands with the Military Tickets.

We are staying at PORS in December on the military RO discount with the deluxe dining upgrade on it. So I am assuming we are going to be getting the bands for our room key and our dining. We will be purchasing the tickets from SOG. The agent there told me the tix will have the RFID chip in them. I just am wondering if anyone has heard anything about being able to link the tix and the bands together yet. Thanks

 

[iRy]

Hey!

We are arriving in about 12 days and we had the same questions/concerns. We bought the Armed Forces Salute tickets (which are the ones I'm assuming you'll be purchasing), and also got selected to participate in the MyMagic+ testing as well.

We were alarmed when we heard from some "sources" that the Military Tickets would NOT be able to be linked to the MagicBands and therefore we would be unable to enjoy FastPass+.

LUCKILY we recently contacted Disney's IT department and the representative confirmed that once the military tickets are ACTIVATED (at the park ticket booths or DTD guest services), they can be linked to MDE and the MagicBands and we will be able to enjoy MyMagic+, including FastPass+, to the fullest.

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[Navychica]

My biggest concern with this is because we won't be able to activate FP+ before we arrive, all the good FastPasses will be gone. It's almost enough to make me think about buying full price tickets!

 

[iRy]

My biggest concern with this is because we won't be able to activate FP+ before we arrive, all the good FastPasses will be gone. It's almost enough to make me think about buying full price tickets!

Yeah, that is pretty much the biggest concern with us too.

When do you arrive?

If you're going while the tests are still happening, you can take some solace in knowing that you'll likely be able to take advantage of BOTH FP+ as well as FP-. Also, because only a limited number of guests are participating in the test, the availability of attraction reservations should not be impacted to the point where advance reservations are fundamental.

If you're going beyond the testing phase, such as the OP, when the service will likely have been rolled out (rumors are pointing to an October rollout, but time will tell..), you should still be able to reserve your favorite rides as Disney is apparently going to be reserving popular attraction slots for same-day reservations only.

However, beyond the next couple months is anybody's guess as to how the system will affect guest's vacation-planning, spending habits, touring style, and level of satisfaction.

 

[Navychica]

Yeah, that is pretty much the biggest concern with us too.

When do you arrive?

If you're going while the tests are still happening, you can take some solace in knowing that you'll likely be able to take advantage of BOTH FP+ as well as FP-. Also, because only a limited number of guests are participating in the test, the availability of attraction reservations should not be impacted to the point where advance reservations are fundamental.

If you're going beyond the testing phase, such as the OP, when the service will likely have been rolled out (rumors are pointing to an October rollout, but time will tell..), you should still be able to reserve your favorite rides as Disney is apparently going to be reserving popular attraction slots for same-day reservations only.

However, beyond the next couple months is anybody's guess as to how the system will affect guest's vacation-planning, spending habits, touring style, and level of satisfaction.

We're going in late May/early June. I'm supposed to rotate in April/May, so I'm waiting for orders before actually scheduling the trip.

I'm definitely hoping they reserve some popular attractions for same day reservations; it would make everything so much easier!

 

[hannah'sdaddy]

This is good news, because I am going in December and always stay at Shades of Green and get my tickets there also.

 

[iRy]

I got my tickets last week (Armed Forces Salute tix) and was able to link them to MDE and choose FP+ before activating the tickets at the parks!

 

[cbtengwife]

I got my tickets last week (Armed Forces Salute tix) and was able to link them to MDE and choose FP+ before activating the tickets at the parks!

Were your tickets the new ones with chip in it or was it the old tickets?

 

[iRy]

Were your tickets the new ones with chip in it or was it the old tickets?

They were old, red paper tickets! We were so surprised when they were able to be linked and we could make FP+ selections.

 

[LoveMyDogTheDoodle]

We did this a couple of weeks ago. Booked POP with military discount and bought our tickets at SOG the day we arrived. SOG will only give you a voucher which you will exchange at Guest Services at any park for a regular RFID ticket which can be linked to MDE and work with the Magic Bands. There was plenty of availability for Fast Pass Plus even the day of. Have a great trip!

 

[MVC1225]

I got my tickets last week (Armed Forces Salute tix) and was able to link them to MDE and choose FP+ before activating the tickets at the parks!

So were these the vouchers/tickets you bought at a military base and linked and chose FP+ before ever going to the parks?

 

[iRy]

So were these the vouchers/tickets you bought at a military base and linked and chose FP+ before ever going to the parks?

Yes! I initially thought they weren't going to be able to be linked until we got there because on the front of the ticket/voucher it clearly stated that it was not a ticket and needed to be exchanged at the park. But I tried linking it anyway and to my surprise it worked and was able to be linked. MDE clearly states that I can now use the bands for park admission and allows me to make FP+ choices. I am still going to swing by the ticket booths when I get there to get a backup plastic ticket in the event that something goes wrong with the Magic Bands.

I'm leaving tomorrow morning so I'll let you know how it all pans out.

 

[ArielRae]

Thanks, keep us updated.

 

[iRy]

So yeah, here now, All's good. Able to link tix to band as well as get a plastic hard copy of the card. Everything is working flawlessly.

 

[amandahpanda]

So yeah, here now, All's good. Able to link tix to band as well as get a plastic hard copy of the card. Everything is working flawlessly.

That's great! Did you still have access to your FP+ reservations you made before you left?

 

[ArielRae]

Just got the new Military Salute tickets which are for vacations thru Sept 2014. They have a barcode on the back that can be scanned thru the MDE app on your phone and it adds it to your account. You scan the ticket then select who you want to have this tickets attached to. I was able to do all 5 of us without a problem. As of right now Fort Wildreness isn't a test resort for Magicbands or FP+ so I am unable to confirm if you can get those after linking your tickets thru MDE. Tho I can't see why not if your resort is testing those and you were able to upload your ticket info you should be able to then schedule your FP+ passes and customize your bands.

 

[kramerzoo]

So yeah, here now, All's good. Able to link tix to band as well as get a plastic hard copy of the card. Everything is working flawlessly.

This is awesome information! We are waiting for our tickets to be delivered to Pentagon...but our MBs have already arrived.
Hopefully we can follow suit and link before we leave on the 4th...

I was wondering through...if we don't use all 4 days of the Salute tickets cuz we are only going for weekend but going back in Feb for Princess weekend, we will be able to use that 4th day in February. Does that make sense??

 

[ArielRae]

This is awesome information! We are waiting for our tickets to be delivered to Pentagon...but our MBs have already arrived.
Hopefully we can follow suit and link before we leave on the 4th...

I was wondering through...if we don't use all 4 days of the Salute tickets cuz we are only going for weekend but going back in Feb for Princess weekend, we will be able to use that 4th day in February. Does that make sense??

Tickets expire 14 days from first use.
So sorry that day will expire before you use it in Febuary.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Tickets expire 14 days from first use.
So sorry that day will expire before you use it in Febuary.

That is not the case for the Armed Forces Salute tickets. Here is the wording from Disney:

The Disney Armed Forces Salute offers special military tickets. These tickets are for a specified number of days* and come in several varieties.

Qualified individuals may purchase up to a maximum of six** theme park tickets during the period of the Disney Armed Forces Salute. These tickets are non-refundable and any days left on the tickets will expire at the end of the offer period.

The offer period ends on September 27, 2014. So if you used 2 days in November 2013, the remaining days would be valid until September 27, 2014.

FAQ from the militarydisneytips site:

Do I have to use my tickets all at once or on days in a row?


No. You can certainly use them every day until they are finished, or you can spread them out over a longer vacation while taking a day or two off, visiting Universal Studios, Sea World, or Legoland. You can even use some days on one trip and the rest on a later trip as long as it is before the offer ends.

 

[ArielRae]

That's cool nice for them to do that.